Hi all,
Rescue dog of around 2-3 years old. She had a bad time before coming here so is very shy/nervy with strange situations/people, she has got a lot better over time and has now bonded with us/me and old dog. She loves walks and being out and about.

First problem was her being sick in the car even on journeys of 5 minutes, this could be due to travel sickness or stress ..or both; After her harness is put on she goes quiet, by the time she has walked the few yards to the car she is frothing a little, so this could be stress, however she could be stressed with knowing she is going to feel sick in the car or she has had a bad experience in a car, either way it stops us from going further than the short and boring dog walks we can walk to, also locks me in to home since traveling to relatives in other parts of the country would not be great for her or me.

Background Info; she has had a head injury at some point/leaving one side of her head depressed, this may have caused damage to her inner ear balance mechanism though I would expect this to cause general unsteadiness.

So far I have tried;
Introducing her to the car slowly/over weeks, both of us sitting in the car quietly whilst petting her.
Pet calming spray.
Bought and home made ginger biscuits.
Travel sickness pills from the vet, at £35 for 5!.

None of the above worked, so am open to suggestions that are not on the above list?.

Would it help to put her in a crate with soft blanket inside and blanket on top and sides that she cant see? Might help? I know my dogs are fine at night time travelling in darkness and not so good when they can see.

Hi, that was the next move and probably last one too. She stands the whole journey, I wondered if lying down may help her, this would involve a crate, but would also need something that would limit her head room so she would be kept in a low position. I have blinds on all the back windows, obviously they are not balck out but they do reduce vision, they do not help Have never traveled with her in the dark, that would be a good exercise, may help in figuring out if it is a physical or mental problem, thanks for that idea!,
and all your input.

This is going to sound really stupid but try it and see it if makes a difference.

Get the harness on and put her seatbelt on. One of you sit in the back seat with her, get her to lay down, put your hand on her head gently and partially cover her eyes so she will keep her eyes shut. Then start the car moving and keep your hand there to prompt her to keep eyes shut. It sounds absolutely ridiculous but it worked with our dog, so much so that our beast now grudgingly gets in the car and lays there with eyes shut without the prompting. He knows that if he doesn't see anything then he won't get sick, he's still nervous, quivers and dribbles but doesn't actually retch.

mmmm sounds like a good idea, sadly I do not have anyone to drive the car whilst I do that, and can not do it from the drivers seat, a job for the next visitor!. Thank you. Wonder if some sort of hood/eye cover would work.